Spacer and support assembly for wall mounted signs

ABSTRACT

A spacer assembly for mounting a sign to a wall includes proximal and distal spacer members. The proximal spacer member includes a barrel and a coaxial coupling shaft extended distally from the barrel. The distal spacer member includes a distal barrel and a recess extending into the barrel and sized to slidably and rotatably receive the coupling shaft. A threaded stud extends proximally from the proximal barrel, and a distal threaded stud extends distally from the distal barrel. Each stud is removably threaded into its associate barrel. The distal member barrel supports a radially oriented set screw, movable toward and away from an advanced position in which the screw engages the coupling shaft to integrally secure the barrels. The spacer assembly allows the sign to be detached from the wall while leaving in place the studs coupled to the sign and wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems for mounting a sign or otherdisplay object in fixed and spaced apart relation to a wall or othersupporting object, and more particularly to systems that employ spacingassemblies formed of releasably coupled spacing elements.

Since ancient times, signs have been a fundamental form ofcommunication. They convey an almost unlimited variety of messages withsuch wide ranging purposes as advertising products and services;providing instructions and directions; identifying government offices,retail establishments and other locations open to the public; anddesignating locations where entry is discouraged or forbidden.

A feature common to these disparate uses is the desire for a highlyvisible, attractive sign with an impact such that its message is morelikely to be noticed and retained by the observer. This feature isparticularly important in commercial environments, where a signadvertising a product or identifying a business location frequentlycompetes for attention with other signs.

With this in mind, users of signs and sign mounting systems continuallysearch for alternative approaches to enhance visibility and visualimpact. One approach, especially suitable for signs supported by wallsor other upright structures, is to mount a sign or its parts (e.g.individual letters) spaced apart horizontally from the wall or othervertical support. This gives the sign, or letters, a free standing orfloating appearance that can be aesthetically pleasing as well asdramatic, drawing attention to the sign.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional approach to mounting a display objectsuch as a sign or an alphanumeric character to a wall, to achieve adesired horizontal spacing from the wall. The display object, e.g. aletter 1, includes a shell or “can” 2 and a back panel 3 mounted to thecan through several brackets, one of which is shown at 4. A screw 5secures the bracket to the can. Bracket 4 includes a horizontal,internally threaded opening 6.

A plurality of mounting devices 7, each including a threaded stud 8 anda tubular spacer 9, are used to mount can 2 horizontally spaced apartfrom a vertical surface 10 of a wall 11. A forward end 12 of each studis threaded into an associated one of bracket openings 6 to secure thestuds integrally with respect to the can. A series of horizontal holes,one shown at 13, are drilled into wall 11 in a pattern to receiverearward ends 14 of the studs. The holes, larger in diameter than thestuds and smaller in diameter than the tubular spacers, are filled witha silicone adhesive.

With the studs secure in their respective brackets and surrounded by thetubular spacers, the exposed rearward ends 14 of the suds are insertedsimultaneously into their associated holes 13. The spacerssimultaneously abut back panel 3 and wall 11, to set the desiredhorizontal spacing. Can 2 is supported by external means until thesilicone is cured, at which point the external support is removed.

This approach satisfactorily supports the display object, yet presentsproblems when a user wishes to remove the display object formaintenance, cleaning or repair. Screws 5 can be removed to separate can2 from back panel 3. The back panel, however, cannot be removed fromwall 11 without pulling studs 8 out of their associated receptacles 13,destroying the silicone bonds.

In some designs, brackets 4 are mounted internally of the can usingadhesives, eliminating screws 5. Users with aesthetic concerns arepleased with this approach, yet it compounds the above problem, in thata user can not remove can 2 without removing the entire sign, againdestroying the silicone bonds.

Alternative fasteners and spacers are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No.4,161,834 (Hendricks, Jr.) discloses a fastener for mounting signs. Anelongate threaded member is surrounded by a spacer and a retainer. Aradial screw through the retainer abuts threaded member to secure theretainer. U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,464 (Tarter et al.) concerns a signdisplay fastener. The fastener includes a threaded front portion, a rearportion with engagement features, and an intermediate spacer. Thethreaded front portion is secured to a sign, and the rear portion isinserted into a bore in the wall and fixed in the bore with adhesives.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,169,308 and 4,108,560 (both to Minogue) disclose afastener including a wood screw having a head with machine screwthreads, an internally and externally threaded boss, an attachmentmember (e.g. a screw or nail), and a female member. The boss is threadedonto the wood screw which then is threaded into a sign. The attachmentmember is used to secure the female member to a wall. Then, the femalemember is threaded onto the boss to mount the sign with respect to thewall.

The forgoing devices, while useful and suited to their particularenvironments, do not satisfactorily address the problems experiencedwith the conventional mounting approach. The fasteners disclosed in theMinogue patents are formed with releasably coupled segments that canremain coupled to the sign and wall, respectively. However, any attemptto remove a previously mounted sign is complicated by the threadedcoupling of the fastener sections. This requires a wrench or other toolto individually manipulate the female member of each fastener, and wouldappear to require an approach in which the fasteners must be decoupledindividually, yet together in incremental stages.

Accordingly, the present invention has several aspects, each directed toone or more of the following objects:

-   -   to provide a spacing and supporting assembly composed of        releasably and slidably coupled spacing components to mount a        display object at a predetermined axial spacing distance from a        supporting object;    -   to provide a spacing device with separate spacing sections        movable axially into and out of a releasable engagement in which        the spacing sections are rotatable relative to one another        without changing their relative axial locations;    -   to provide a spacing and supporting assembly comprised of        releasably coupled sections, configured for use in lieu of a        single stud and coaxial tubular spacer without requiring any        modification to a supporting object or the display object it        supports; and    -   to provide a system of supporting and spacing assemblies        composed of medial spacing sections, and threaded studs adapted        for interchangeable attachment to spacing sections of different        axial lengths.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve these and other objects, there is provided an apparatus forreleasably mounting a display object in spaced apart relation to asupporting object. A first spacer member of the apparatus comprises alongitudinally oriented first spacer member body having opposite firstproximal and first distal ends, a substantially flat and transverseproximal alignment surface at the first proximal end, an elongatecoupling shaft extended distally away from the first distal end, and afirst coupling feature integral with the coupling shaft. The apparatusincludes a second spacer member comprising a longitudinally orientedsecond spacer member body having opposite second proximal and seconddistal ends, a substantially flat and transverse distal alignmentsurface at the second distal end, and an elongate recess open at thesecond proximal end and extended distally from the second proximal endinto the second spacer member body. A second coupling feature is mountedto the second spacer member for movement between an advanced positionand a retracted position. The coupling shaft is insertable slidably anddistally into the recess to coaxially align the first and second spacermembers and thereby form a spacer assembly with the proximal alignmentsurface and the distal alignment surface at opposite ends of theassembly. The second coupling feature is movable to the advancedposition with the first and second spacer members so aligned, toreleasably engage the first coupling feature and thereby longitudinallyfix the second spacer member relative to the first spacer member. Thisfixes a longitudinal spacing between the proximal and distal alignmentsurfaces. The second coupling feature further is retractable from theadvanced position to disengage the first and second coupling featuresand thereby allow a proximal withdrawal of the coupling shaft from therecess. A first anchoring feature extends proximally from the proximalalignment surface for securing the first spacer member to a displayobject with the proximal alignment surface contiguous with a firstreference surface of the display object. A second anchoring featureextends distally from the distal alignment surface for securing thesecond spacer member to a supporting object with the distal alignmentsurface contiguous with a second reference surface of the supportingobject.

The slidable coupling of the spacer members is particularly advantageouswhen the need arises to remove a wall-mounted sign for cleaning,inspection, or repair. The sign can be removed by decoupling the spacerassemblies without disturbing the attachments of the first spacermembers to the sign, or the attachments of the second spacer members tothe wall. This is accomplished by retracting all of the second couplingfeatures, then proximally moving the sign relative to the wall, tosimultaneously withdraw all of the coupling shafts from their respectiverecesses.

Following inspection, the sign is reinstalled by positioning the sign toalign the first and second spacer members, then by moving the signdistally toward the wall to simultaneously insert the coupling shaftsinto their associated recesses. With the coupling shafts inserted, thesecond coupling features can be advanced to integrally couple the pairsof spacer members and reestablish the desired longitudinal spacing fromthe wall.

The second coupling feature, when moved into the advanced position toengage the first coupling feature, integrally secures the first andsecond spacer members, and simultaneously fixes the longitudinal spacingbetween the first and second alignment surfaces. In preferred versionsof the apparatus, the second spacing member body is provided with anaperture. The aperture is open to the recess and extends radiallyoutwardly from the recess to an exterior surface of the second spacingmember body. The second coupling feature comprises a detent mounted inthe aperture and movable radially, toward and away from the advancedposition. The first coupling feature advantageously has a V-shapedprofile, so that the detent, as it is moved radially into an engagementwith the first coupling feature, tends to move the coupling shaft intothe desired alignment for fixing the longitudinal spacing.

More preferably, the first coupling feature comprises a circumferentialgrove formed along the coupling shaft, with a V-shaped profile inradial-axial planes bisecting the coupling shaft. In this arrangement,the detent can be advanced to place its radially inward end inside thegrove, yet short of engaging the coupling shaft. This substantially setsthe longitudinal position of the second spacer member relative to thefirst spacer member, yet permits the second spacer member to rotaterelative to the first spacer member. This arrangement allows the user toset the angular position of the second spacer member for convenientaccess to the detent, before fully advancing the detent to integrallycouple the spacer members.

The preferred detent is a screw, threadedly coupled to the second spacermember body through internal threads formed along the aperture.

Another aspect of the invention is a rotationally adjustable spacerassembly. A first spacer member of the assembly comprises alongitudinally oriented first spacer member body having opposite firstproximal and first distal ends, a substantially flat and transverseproximal alignment surface at the first proximal end, and an elongatecoupling shaft extended distally away from the first distal end. Asecond spacer member of the assembly comprises a longitudinally orientedsecond spacer member body having opposite second proximal and seconddistal ends, a substantially flat and transverse distal alignmentsurface at the second distal end, and an elongate recess open at thesecond proximal end and extended distally from the second proximal endinto the second spacer member body. A coupling feature is mounted to thesecond spacer member for movement between advanced and retractedpositions. The coupling shaft is insertable slidably and distally intothe recess to coaxially align the first and second spacer members toform a spacer assembly with the proximal alignment surface and thedistal alignment surface at opposite ends of the assembly. When disposedin the recesses, the coupling shaft is free to rotate about alongitudinal axis relative to the second spacer member body. Thecoupling feature is movable to the advanced position with the first andsecond spacer members so aligned, to releasably engage the first spacermember and thereby longitudinally fix the second spacer member relativeto the first spacer member. This fixes a longitudinal spacing betweenthe proximal and distal alignment surfaces. The coupling feature furtheris retractable from the advanced position to disengage the couplingfeature from the first spacer member and thereby allow a proximalwithdrawal of the coupling shaft from the recess. A first anchoringfeature extends proximally from the first alignment surface for securingthe first spacer member to a display object with the proximal alignmentsurface contiguous with a first reference surface of the display object.A second anchoring feature extends distally from the distal alignmentsurface for securing the second spacer member to a supporting objectwith the distal alignment surface contiguous with a second referencesurface of the supporting object.

The advantages of slidably coupled spacer members, discussed above, areaugmented when the spacer members are rotatably coupled as well. Thispreferably is achieved by forming the coupling shaft and recess withcircular profiles in transverse planes. The primary advantage of thisfeature is that the user can adjust the rotational or angular positionof the second spacer member relative to the first spacer member, whilemaintaining the desired longitudinal spacing between the alignmentsurfaces. With the first spacer members installed into the sign, thisfeature allows selective rotation of each second spacing member forconvenient access to its coupling feature.

A further aspect of the present invention is a spacer assembly forsupporting a sign. A first spacer member of the spacer assemblycomprises a longitudinally oriented first spacer member body havingopposite first proximal and first distal ends, a substantially flat andtransverse proximal alignment surface at the first proximal end, a firstmating surface at the first distal end, and an elongate coupling shaftextended distally away from the first distal end. A second spacer memberof the assembly comprises a longitudinally oriented second spacer memberbody having opposite second proximal and second distal ends, asubstantially flat and transverse distal alignment surface at the seconddistal end, a second mating surface at the second proximal end, and anelongate recess open at the second proximal end and extended distallyfrom the second proximal end into the second spacer member body. Acoupling feature is mounted to the second spacer member forsubstantially radial movement between advanced and retracted positions.The coupling shaft is insertable slidably and distally into the recessto bring the first and second mating surfaces into a contiguousengagement, coaxially aligning first and second spacer members to form aspacer assembly with the proximal alignment surface and the distalalignment surface at opposite ends of the assembly. The coupling featureis movable to the advanced position with the first and second spacermembers so aligned, releasably engaging the first spacer member tolongitudinally and releasably fix the second spacer member relative tothe first spacer member and thus fix a longitudinal spacing between theproximal and distal alignment surfaces. A first anchoring feature isremovably mounted to the first spacing member body and extendsproximally from the first alignment surface for securing the firstspacer member to a display object with the proximal alignment surfacecontiguous with a first reference surface of the display object. Asecond anchoring feature is removably mounted to the second spacermember body and extends distally from the distal alignment surface forsecuring the second spacer member to a supporting object with the distalalignment surface contiguous with a second reference surface of thesupporting object.

As noted above, the releasable coupling of the first and second spacermembers affords convenient removal of a wall-mounted sign from the wall,even when multiple spacer assemblies are employed to support the sign.Removal is accomplished without disturbing the connection of the firstspacer members to the sign, and without disturbing the connection of thesecond spacer members to the wall.

The removable mounting of the anchoring features to the spacing memberbodies allows the user to remove a given spacer member body from thesign without disturbing the coupling of the anchoring feature with thesign. Likewise, the user can remove a given spacer member body from thewall without disturbing the coupling of the anchoring feature with thewall. This is particularly advantageous given that the second anchoringfeature typically is a threaded stud mounted to the wall through asilicone adhesive. Thus, the second spacing member body is removablewithout destroying the silicone bond.

Consequently, spacer member bodies can be detached from the sign or wallfor inspection, cleaning or repair while the associated studs or otheranchoring features remain integrally coupled. An added advantage is thata given spacer member body or assembly of spacer member bodies can bereplaced with an alternative of a different length to selectively adjustthe longitudinal spacing, again without disturbing the anchoringfeatures.

Thus in accordance with the present invention, multiple spacing andsupporting assemblies are employed to mount a sign or other displayobject in spaced apart relation to a wall or other supporting object.Each of the assemblies is formed of two releasably coupled members, oneattached to the sign and the other attached to the wall. As a result,the sign can be removed from the wall and reattached by decoupling andrecoupling the spacer members, without disturbing the connections of thespacer members to the sign and wall, respectively. The spacer members ofeach assembly are slidably coupled, and further may be rotatably coupledfor convenient adjustment of the angular position of each spacer memberwhile maintaining its desired longitudinal position. If desired,threaded studs or other suitable anchoring features can be removablyattached to the spacer members, to allow interchangeable coupling andsubstitution of spacer members of different lengths.

IN THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the above and other features andadvantages, reference is made to the following detailed description andto the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional approach to mounting a sign or otherdisplay object spaced apart from a supporting wall;

FIG. 2 is a frontal elevation of a display object in the form of theletter “A” mounted in spaced apart relation to a supporting wall inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial side elevation partially in section,showing one of several spacer assemblies that support the letter withrespect to the wall;

FIG. 4 is an exploded parts view of the spacer assembly;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a proximal spacer member of theassembly;

FIG. 6 is a frontal elevation of the proximal spacer member;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of the proximal spacer member;

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a distal spacer member of the spacerassembly;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are frontal and rear elevations of the distal spacermember, respectively; and

FIG. 11 is a side elevation showing one of several spacer assembliessupporting a display object in vertical spaced apart relation to a base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 2 a display objector letter 16 mounted to a supporting object, in this case a wall 18.Broken lines at 20 indicate several locations at which spacer assembliessupport letter 16 in front of wall 18, spaced apart forwardly from thewall.

Display object 16 may be a sign, a symbol other than an alphanumericcharacter, or a sculpture, although the latter might have an irregular(non-planar) back surface requiring spacer assemblies of differentlengths. Alternatively to wall 18, the supporting object may be a postor other structure with a vertical surface, or a base having ahorizontal or inclined surface where spacer assemblies support a displayobject spaced apart in a vertical or other non-horizontal direction fromthe supporting object.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial side view of the letter and wall, showinga spacer assembly 22 disconnected from letter 16 and wall 18. Thehorizontal distance between the letter and wall is shown larger toillustrate the complete spacer assembly.

Letter 16 includes a shell or can 24 formed as the letter “A,” with avertical oriented front wall 26 and rear edge 28, and a side wall 30. Aplanar, vertically oriented back panel 32 is attached to can 24 by aplurality of brackets, one of which is shown at 34. Brackets 34 areadhered to an inside surface of side wall 30, and consequently are notvisible from outside of the can. An internally threaded opening 36 isformed through the bracket. An opening 38 through back panel 32 iscoaxial with opening 36. Back panel 32 has a planar, vertically orientedrear surface 40.

Wall 18 has a planar, vertically oriented front surface 44. A pluralityof holes, one of which is shown at 42, are drilled or otherwise formedin wall 18. Holes 42 are open at front surface 44, and extend rearwardlyinto the wall. Each of the holes is filled with a silicone adhesive 46.

For supporting letter 16 in front of wall 18, spacer assembly 22includes a front spacer member 48 and a rear spacer member 50 releasablyjoined to the front spacer member. More generally in terms of theirproximity to the display object, the front and rear spacer members canbe thought of as proximal and distal spacer members, respectively.

Proximal spacer member 48 has a cylindrical proximal barrel or spacermember body 52 which is cylindrical and disposed on a longitudinal axis54. Body 52 has a flat, transverse proximal end surface 56 whichfunctions as a proximal alignment surface of the spacer assembly. Anelongate threaded proximal stud 58, also disposed on the longitudinalaxis 54, extends proximally away from proximal end surface 56.

Distal spacer member 50 has a cylindrical distal barrel or spacer memberbody 60 with a flat, transverse distal end surface 62 that functions asa distal alignment surface of the spacer assembly. An elongate threadeddistal stud 64 extends distally from distal end surface 64. Barrel 60and stud 64 are disposed on longitudinal axis 54.

A set screw 66, threadedly engaged with distal barrel 60, is operable tointegrally fix barrels 52 and 60 with respect to each other as shown inFIG. 3. Fixation of the barrels sets a longitudinal spacing distancebetween alignment surfaces 56 and 62. Accordingly, when proximalalignment surface 56 is contiguous with rear surface 40 of the backpanel, and distal alignment surface 62 is contiguous with front surface44 of the wall, spacer assembly 22 sets the desired horizontal spacingbetween the display object and the wall.

As seen in FIG. 4, proximal stud 58 is externally threaded over itsentire length. This permits the stud to be removably coupled to proximalbarrel 52. Similarly, distal stud 64 is threaded over its entire lengthsuch that a proximal end region of the stud threadedly engagable withdistal barrel 60.

Proximal spacer member 48 includes a coupling shaft 68 extendingdistally away from a transverse distal surface 70 of barrel 52. Thecoupling shaft is insertable into a recess formed in distal barrel 60,to bring distal surface 70 into contiguous engagement with a transverseproximal surface 72 of barrel 60. A circumferential groove 74 is formedalong the coupling shaft. Groove 74 has a V-shaped profile inradial-axial planes, i.e. planes that bisect the longitudinal axis.

In FIG. 5, proximal barrel 52 is shown in section to reveal aninternally threaded opening 76 that extends distally into the barrelfrom proximal surface 56. Opening 76 threadedly and removably receivesthe distal end portion of stud 58. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, opening 76and coupling shaft 68 are coaxial with proximal barrel 52, and havecircular transverse profiles.

In FIG. 8, distal barrel 60 is shown in section to reveal a recess 78extending distally into the barrel from proximal surface 72. As seen inFIG. 9, recess 78 has a circular transverse profile and is coaxial withbarrel 60. Thus, with the exception of groove 74, the profiles of recess78 and coupling shaft 68 conform to one another. The respective radii ofthe coupling shaft and recess are closely matched. In one version of thespacer assembly, a nominal diameter of the recess exceeds the couplingshaft diameter by 0.003 inches.

This produces several favorable results. First, the coupling shaft isconveniently slidable into and out of the recess. Second, the closecorrespondence of the coupling shaft and recess prevents any substantialtransverse movement of spacer members 48 and 50 relative to one anotherwhen the coupling shaft is inserted into the recess. As a result, thestrength and stability of spacer assembly 22 compare well with thestrength and stability of the conventional stud and spacing tube shownin FIG. 1. Moreover, the coupling shaft 68 may preferably have adiameter that is larger than the root (minor) diameter ofconventionally-employed threaded studs, such that the coupling shaft 68may provide spacer assembly 22 with superior strength, as compared toconventional threaded studs.

Due to the circular transverse profiles of coupling shaft 68 and recess78, the coupling shaft is rotatable relative to barrel 60 when fullyinserted into the recess. Accordingly, barrel 60 is rotatable relativeto barrel 52. The capacity to rotate distal spacer member 50 relative toproximal spacer 48 without changing their relative longitudinallocations, allows the user to select an annular position of barrel 60corresponding to convenient access to set screw 66.

With further reference to FIG. 8, a radial aperture 80 extends fromrecess 78 to the exterior of distal barrel 60. Aperture 80 is internallythreaded to accommodate set screw 66. When coupling shaft 68 is fullyinserted into recess 78, groove 74 and aperture 80 are axially(longitudinally) aligned.

A longitudinal opening 82 extends proximally inward from distal surface62 of barrel 60. Longitudinal opening 82 is internally threaded toaccommodate a removable mounting of stud 64 to the barrel. As seen inFIG. 10, longitudinal opening 82 is coaxial with barrel 60.

As shown in FIG. 8, set screw 66 can be provided with a cup point 84that interacts with circumferential groove 74, tending to longitudinallycenter the groove with respect to the set screw as the set screw isadvanced inwardly toward the coupling shaft. This feature, incombination with the contiguous engagement of surfaces 70 and 72, setsthe longitudinal spacing distance between alignment surfaces 56 and 62.If desired, a nylon patch (not illustrated) can be provided in aperture80 between the external threads of the set screw and the internalthreads of the aperture, to aid in maintaining the set screw in thefully advanced position.

Set screw 66 is movable radially in aperture 80, between an advancedposition in which the set screw engages coupling shaft 68 at groove 74to integrally secure barrels 52 and 60, and a radially outward retractedposition that allows the coupling shaft to be withdrawn from the recess.A slight retraction of set screw 66 from the advanced position allowsrotation of the coupling shaft while point 84 of the set screw remainsin groove 74 to prevent withdrawal of the shaft from the recess, andthus substantially maintain the longitudinal spacing between alignmentsurfaces 56 and 62.

As to materials, the barrels and studs preferably are formed of anodizedaluminum, and the set screw preferably is stainless steel.

Assemblies 22 are used to mount an alphanumeric character, sign, orother display object generally in the same manner as the singlestud/tubular spacer device shown in FIG. 1. A typical installation of asign or other display object requires several of the spacer assemblies.The assemblies are installed in concert. For each assembly, the processproceeds as follows:

With stud and proximal spacer barrel 52 threadedly coupled as shown inFIG. 3, the exposed proximal end portion of stud 58 is threaded intoopening 36 of bracket 34 until proximal alignment surface 56 of barrel52 engages surface 40 of back panel 32. Surface 40 acts as a referencesurface to locate the proximal barrel. At this stage, barrel 52preferably is disconnected from distal barrel 60, although this is notcritical.

Next, distal barrel 60 is moved proximally into engagement with proximalbarrel 52, causing coupling shaft 68 to enter recess 78, causing matingsurfaces 70 and 72 to engage, and further bringing aperture 80 and setscrew 66 into longitudinal alignment with circumferential groove 74 ofthe coupling shaft.

At this point, set screw 66 is turned to advance it radially inwardlytoward engagement with coupling shaft 68. If desired, the set screw canbe advanced until it is just short of the completely advanced position,with point 84 of the screw disposed within the circumferential groove tosecure the desired longitudinal position of the barrels while allowingtheir relative rotation. The rotational freedom allows the user toselectively adjust the angular position of barrel 60 for convenientaccess to set screw 66.

At this stage, the set screw is moved to the advanced position, in whichset screw 66 engages coupling shaft 68 to fix barrel 60 integrally withrespect to barrel 52. It has been found advantageous to form set screw66 with a hexagonal feature at its head, so that the set screw can beadvanced and retracted with a hexagonal key or Allen wrench.

The foregoing steps are repeated to install a suitable number of theassemblies into the display object. All of the installed assemblies areparallel, extending distally away from back panel 32.

Next, a series of oversized holes are drilled into the wall, base, orother supporting object. The holes extend distally into the supportingobject, arranged in a pattern to associate each hole with one of theassemblies to receive a distal end portion of stud 64. Each of the holesis filled with a silicone adhesive.

At this point the display object is aligned with the supporting objectto position each of studs 64 adjacent its associated hole. The displayobject is moved distally to simultaneously insert the distal studs intotheir associated holes, until distal alignment surface 62 of each barrel60 engages the surface of the wall or other supporting object adjacentthe associated hole. The surface of the wall functions as a referencesurface to establish the position of each assembly, thus to establishthe desired spacing of the display object from the wall.

Following positioning, the sign or other display object is supported byan external structure (not shown) until the adhesive cures, at whichpoint the external structure can be removed. The spacer assembliesaccordingly support the display object and set the desired spacing ofthe display object from the wall or other supporting structure. As toeach spacer assembly, the longitudinal distance between the proximal anddistal alignment surfaces determines the desired spacing. The alignmentsurfaces engage their associated reference surfaces to support thedisplay object at the desired spacing.

A feature of the present invention resides in the ease with which apreviously installed sign or other display object can be removed forinspection, cleaning, or repair. The display object is detached from awall or other supporting object, simply by retracting set screws 66 ofthe assemblies, to allow a proximal, sliding withdrawal of each couplingshaft from its recess. In the typical case where a sign is spaced aparthorizontally from a wall, the coupling shafts are supported by theirassociated distal barrels even when the set screws are withdrawn.Accordingly, there is no need for any external support of the sign asthe set screws are retracted.

The sign is removed from the wall without disturbing the connections ofthe proximal spacer members with the sign, and without disturbing thecouplings of the distal spacer members with the wall. As to the lattercouplings, the arrangement is particularly advantageous because itallows removal of the sign without destroying the silicone bonds.

Another feature of the invention resides in the removable attachment ofthe studs to their associated barrels. This allows a removal of theproximal barrels from the sign, and removal of the distal barrels fromthe wall, in each case without disturbing the connection of theassociated stud. A spacer assembly barrel can be removed for cleaning orinspection, or can be replaced with a barrel of a different length toselectively adjust the spacing of the sign from the wall.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative arrangement in which spacerassemblies, one of which is shown at 90, are employed to support a sign92 in a desired vertical spacing from a horizontal base 94. A proximalspacer member 96 includes a barrel 98, a threaded stud 100 extendedproximally from the barrel, and a coupling shaft 102 extended distallyfrom barrel 98. A distal spacer member 104 includes a barrel 106 and athreaded stud 108 extending distally from the barrel. A set screw 110,mounted in an aperture formed in barrel 106, is advanced as before toengage the coupling shaft. As before, stud 100 is threaded into abracket 112 of the sign, while stud 108 is mounted in a hole 114 filledwith a silicone adhesive 116.

Thus in accordance with the present invention, a display object issupported at a desired spacing from a supporting object in a manner thatallows convenient detachment and reattachment of the display object.Spacer assemblies, each including slidably coupled proximal and distalbarrels and an anchoring stud attached to each barrel, cooperate toremovably mount the display object to the supporting object. The spacerassemblies are parallel, so that distal movement of a properly aligneddisplay object simultaneously couples opposed pairs of the barrels tomount the display object. Likewise, a mounted display object can bemoved proximally to simultaneously disconnect the barrels, releasing itfrom the supporting object without removing the anchoring studs fromeither object. The mounting assemblies further can be configured withinterchangeable parts to allow substitution of components to selectivelyincrease or decrease the desired spacing.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for releasably mounting a displayobject in spaced apart relation to a supporting object, the apparatusincluding: a first spacer member comprising a longitudinally orientedfirst spacer member body having opposite first proximal and first distalends, a substantially flat and transverse proximal alignment surface atthe first proximal end, an elongate coupling shaft extended distallyaway from the first distal end, and a first coupling feature integralwith the coupling shaft; a second spacer member comprising alongitudinally oriented second spacer member body having opposite secondproximal and second distal ends, a substantially flat and transversedistal alignment surface at the second distal end, and an elongaterecess open at the second proximal end and extended distally from thesecond proximal end into the second spacer member body; a secondcoupling feature mounted to the second spacer member for movementbetween an advanced position and a retracted position; wherein thecoupling shaft is insertable slidably and distally into the recess tocoaxially align the first and second spacer members and thereby form aspacer assembly with the proximal alignment surface and the distalalignment surface at opposite ends of the assembly; wherein the secondcoupling feature is movable to the advanced position with the first andsecond spacer members so aligned, to releasably engage the firstcoupling feature and thereby longitudinally fix the second spacer memberrelative to the first spacer member and fix a longitudinal spacingbetween the proximal and distal alignment surfaces; wherein the secondcoupling feature further is retractable from the advanced position todisengage the first and second coupling features and thereby allow aproximal withdrawal of the coupling shaft from the recess; a firstanchoring feature extended proximally from the proximal alignmentsurface for securing the first spacer member to a display object withthe proximal alignment surface contiguous with a first reference surfaceof the display object; and a second anchoring feature extended distallyfrom the distal alignment surface for securing the second spacer memberto a supporting object with the distal alignment surface contiguous witha second reference surface of the supporting object.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein: the coupling shaft is smaller in transverse dimensionthan the first spacer member body and coaxial with the first spacermember body, and the recess is coaxial with the second spacer memberbody.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: the coupling shaft and therecess have circular transverse profiles, and the coupling shaft isrotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to the second spacer memberbody when disposed in the recess.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:the first and second coupling features are adapted to engage in a mannerthat allows rotation of the coupling shaft relative to the second spacermember body.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further including: an apertureformed in the second spacer member body extending radially outwardlyfrom the recess to an exterior of the second spacer member body; whereinthe first coupling feature is disposed along the coupling shaft, and thesecond coupling feature comprises a detent mounted in the aperture andmovable radially inwardly and outwardly relative to the second spacermember body.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: the detent isthreadedly engaged with the second spacer member body when mounted inthe aperture.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the first couplingfeature comprises a circumferential groove formed along the couplingshaft.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: the circumferential groovehas a V-shaped profile in radial-axial planes.
 9. The apparatus of claim1 further including: a substantially flat and transverse first matingsurface formed at the first distal end, and a substantially flat andtransverse second mating surface formed that the second proximal end;wherein the first and second mating surfaces are disposed for acontiguous engagement when the first and second spacer members are soaligned.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: each of the first andsecond anchoring features comprises an externally threaded stud.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10 wherein: each of the studs is removably threadedlyengaged with its associated one of the first and second spacer memberbodies.
 12. A rotationally adjustable spacer assembly, including: afirst spacer member comprising a longitudinally oriented first spacermember body having opposite first proximal and first distal ends, asubstantially flat and transverse proximal alignment surface at thefirst proximal end, and an elongate coupling shaft extended distallyaway from the first distal end; a second spacer member comprising alongitudinally oriented second spacer member body having opposite secondproximal and second distal ends, a substantially flat and transversedistal alignment surface at the second distal end, and an elongaterecess open at the second proximal end and extended distally from thesecond proximal end into the second spacer member body; a couplingfeature mounted to the second spacer member for movement betweenadvanced and retracted positions; wherein the coupling shaft isinsertable slidably and distally into the recess to coaxially align thefirst and second spacer members to form a spacer assembly with theproximal alignment surface and the distal alignment surface at oppositeends of the assembly, the coupling shaft when disposed in the recessesbeing free to rotate about a longitudinal axis relative to the secondspacer member body; wherein the coupling feature is movable to theadvanced position with the first and second spacer members so aligned,to releasably engage the first spacer member and thereby longitudinallyfix the second spacer member relative to the first spacer member and fixa longitudinal spacing between the proximal and distal alignmentsurfaces; wherein the coupling feature further is retractable from theadvanced position to disengage the coupling feature from the firstspacer member and thereby allow a proximal withdrawal of the couplingshaft from the recess; a first anchoring feature extended proximallyfrom the first alignment surface for securing the first spacer member toa display object with the proximal alignment surface contiguous with afirst reference surface of the display object; and a second anchoringfeature extended distally from the distal alignment surface for securingthe second spacer member to a supporting object with the distalalignment surface contiguous with a second reference surface of thesupporting object.
 13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein: the couplingfeature when in the advanced position engages the coupling shaft. 14.The assembly of claim 13 further including: a receiving feature disposedalong the coupling shaft, wherein the coupling feature when in theadvanced position engages the receiving feature.
 15. The assembly ofclaim 14 wherein: the receiving feature comprises a circumferentialgroove formed around the coupling shaft.
 16. The assembly of claim 12further including: an aperture formed in the second spacer member bodyextending radially outwardly from the recess to an exterior of the firstspacer member body; wherein the first coupling feature is disposed alongthe coupling shaft, and the second coupling feature comprises a detentmounted in the aperture and movable radially inwardly and outwardlyrelative to the second spacer member body.
 17. The assembly of claim 16wherein: the detent is externally threaded, and while in the aperture isthreadedly engaged with the second spacer member body.
 18. The assemblyof claim 12 wherein: the coupling shaft is coaxial with the first spacermember body, and the recess is coaxial with the second spacer memberbody.
 19. The assembly of claim 12 wherein: a substantially flat andtransverse first mating surface formed at the first distal end, and asubstantially flat and transverse second mating surface formed that thesecond proximal end; wherein the first and second mating surfaces aredisposed for a contiguous engagement when the first and second spacermembers are so aligned.
 20. The assembly of claim 12 wherein: each ofthe first and second anchoring features comprises an externally threadedstud.
 21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein: each of the studs isremovably threadedly engaged with its associated one of the first andsecond spacer member bodies.
 22. The assembly of claim 19 furtherincluding: a receiving feature disposed along the coupling shaft forsaid engagement with the coupling feature and located such that thefirst and second mating surfaces engage when the coupling featureengages the receiving feature.
 23. A spacer assembly for supporting asign, including: a first spacer member comprising a longitudinallyoriented first spacer member body having opposite first proximal andfirst distal ends, a substantially flat and transverse proximalalignment surface at the first proximal end, a first mating surface atthe first distal end, and an elongate coupling shaft extended distallyaway from the first distal end; a second spacer member comprising alongitudinally oriented second spacer member body having opposite secondproximal and second distal ends, a substantially flat and transversedistal alignment surface at the second distal end, a second matingsurface at the second proximal end, and an elongate recess open at thesecond proximal end and extended distally from the second proximate endinto the second spacer member body; a coupling feature mounted to thesecond spacer member for substantially radial movement between advancedand retracted positions; wherein the coupling shaft is insertableslidably and distally into the recess to bring the first and secondmating surfaces into a contiguous engagement, coaxially aligning firstand second spacer members to form a spacer assembly with the proximalalignment surface and the distal alignment surface at opposite ends ofthe assembly; wherein the coupling feature further is movable to theadvanced position with the first and second spacer members so aligned,releasably engaging the first spacer member to longitudinally andreleasably fix the second spacer member relative to the first spacermember and thus fix a longitudinal spacing between the proximal anddistal alignment surfaces; a first anchoring feature removably mountedto the first spacing member body and extended proximally from the firstalignment surface for securing the first spacer member to a displayobject with the proximal alignment surface contiguous with a firstreference surface of the display object; and a second anchoring featureremovably mounted to the second spacer member body and extended distallyfrom the distal alignment surface for securing the second spacer memberto a supporting object with the distal alignment surface contiguous witha second reference surface of the supporting object.
 24. The assembly ofclaim 23 wherein: the first and second mating surfaces are substantiallyflat and transverse.
 25. The assembly of claim 23 further including: anaperture formed in the second spacer member body extending radiallyoutwardly from the recess to an exterior of the second spacer memberbody; wherein the first coupling feature is disposed along the couplingshaft, and the second coupling feature comprises a detent mounted in theaperture and movable radially inwardly and outwardly relative to thesecond spacer member body.
 26. The assembly of claim 25 wherein: thedetent has external threads, and is threadedly engaged with internalthreads of the second spacer member body formed along the aperture. 27.The assembly of claim 23 further including: a receiving feature disposedalong the coupling shaft, wherein the coupling feature when in theadvanced position engages the receiving feature.
 28. The assembly ofclaim 23 wherein: the coupling shaft, when disposed in the recess, isrotatable relative to the second spacer member body about a longitudinalaxis.
 29. The assembly of claim 28 further including: a circumferentialgroove formed along the coupling shaft, wherein the coupling feature isconfigured to engage the coupling shaft at the circumferential groovewhen moved to the advanced position.
 31. The assembly of claim 23wherein: the first and second anchoring features comprise externallythreaded studs, wherein each of the studs is threadedly engaged with itsassociated one of the first and second spacer member bodies.